PSL: Glittering opening ceremony has been launched

The stadium floodlights have been switched off, while LED lights of different hues are being used for a lights display in addition to live performance by musicians.

Drummers suspended from the top wearing fancy clothes put on quite a show.And we spot a woman among them too!

Celebrity and TV show host Fahad Mustafa is trying to charge up the crowd with chants of “This league belongs to the whole of Pakistan”.

Songs in the four provincial languages are being played, as dancers in traditional wear take center stage. A projector is projecting images of Pakistan’s famous monuments.

Pakistan’s alternative anthem by Junaid Jamshed, Dil Dil Pakistan is playing with the crowd singing along. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s patriotic song Pakistan Pakistan is being played.

PCB Chairman Shaheryar Khan has now taken the podium and is making the welcome speech. Khan thanked Sheikh al Nahyan, UAE president, for hosting the event.

He talked about the final in Lahore. “The success of PSL will open the gates for others to start coming into Pakistan.” He added that the match in Lahore is significant as it will show that Pakistan has “normalised” it terms of security

The PSL teams have now walked out onto the field, lead by Islamabad United. Cricketing legend Wasim Akram and actor Fawad Khan are leading the players, who are all dressed in dark green shalwar kameez and black waistcoats.

The Karachi Kings have walked out in their playing kits. The Lahore Qalanders, also dressed in their playing kits, walked out lead by their skipper Brendon McCullum.

Peshawar Zalmi, along with Shahid Afridi and Darren Sammy, have now walked out in to the stadium. Quetta Gladiators with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed have now entered the stadium.

Sheikh Mubarak bin Zayed al Nahyan has taken the podium and addressing the teams and excited fans in the stadium.

“Pakistan Super League is a testimony of the strong bond between the countries.” He also wished the best to the teams and PSL.

Chairman PSL Najam Sethi is now addressing the crowds.

“The difference between the last edition and this edition is that now we have bigger stars. The pitches are designed in a way that there will be big runs. If someone in the crowd catches a sixer, they will win Rs1 crore,” said Sethi.

He also vowed to bring cricket back to Pakistan.

Sethi has called Misbah on stage, and the crowd welcomes him with a thundering applause.

Twitter is buzzing with excitement as PSL fans are tweeting that “The wait is finally over”.

LIVE FROM THE STADIUM! OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM! #PAKISTAN #HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/Mf6H2CargL

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 9, 2017

Schedule (all times PST):

Feb 9: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi (Dubai, 10:00pm).

Feb 10: Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 4:30pm).

Feb 10: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 11: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars (Dubai, 4:30pm).

Feb 11: Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 12: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 13: Rest day.

Feb 14: Rest day.

Feb 15: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 16: Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

Feb 17: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators (Sharjah, 4:30pm).

Feb 17: Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

Feb 18: Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators (Sharjah, 4:30pm).

Feb 18: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

Feb 19: Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

Feb 20: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

Feb 21: Rest day.

Feb 22: Rest day.

Feb 23: Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 24: Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi (Dubai, 4:30pm).

Feb 24: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 25: Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars (Dubai, 4:30pm).

Feb 25: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 26: Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings (Dubai, 9:00pm).

Feb 27: Rest day.

Feb 28: First Playoff Qualifier – 1st vs 2nd (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

March 1: Second Playoff Qualifier – 3rd vs 4th (Sharjah, 9:00pm).

March 2: Rest day.

March 3: Third playoff qualifier – Playoff 2 Winners vs Playoff 1 Losers (Dubai, 9:00pm).

March 4: Rest day.

March 5: Rest day.

March 5: Final (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore).

Article source: http://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/49372-glittering-opening-ceremony-to-launch-second-edition-of-psl-today.html